We're reaching out to let you know about Christmas and Holy Day Mass Schedules, upcoming events like the Christmas Breakfast and Tree Lighting, signing up for our Advent Retreat at Mother Cabrini Shrine, and what's been happening at the Parish.
"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths"
Hello,
Can you believe it's almost Christmas? As our inboxes are bombarded with Black Friday ads and our calendars start to fill-up, it's easy to be swept away by the hustle and bustle. There's just so much to do!
But Advent calls us to do something different.
Advent is a time of waiting. Just when we're trying to stuff as much as we can into the season, God calls us to slow down and reflect.
And we're not alone. The Bible is filled with people who God asked to wait. Abraham waited for his promised son. The Israelites waited in the desert. Jonah waited in the belly of a whale. And the Blessed Virgin Mary waited and "kept all these things in her heart" as she contemplated all that had been told to her about her Son, Jesus.
This Advent, we hope you can join us in joyfully waiting. Below you will find information about our Advent Retreat, upcoming Penance service, as well as opportunities to gather together like the Christmas Breakfast. You can find ideas on how to celebrate Advent at home on our website: www.stjoegold.org/advent.
As always, we're so thankful to all of you for volunteering at events, supporting our ministries, and joining us in celebrating Mass each Sunday. We're blessed to have you as part of this Parish.
In Christ,
Fr. Joseph, Deacon Ed, Deacon Denny, Teri Lauwers, Terri Huff, Carol Hartzell, Audrey Goshorn, Joe Simmons, Andrew McGown, Bill Virden, and Maura Burns
P.S. If you have not filled out a More Than You See Survey, please print one (below). All surveys must be turned in by Sunday, Nov. 25th.
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."
Thanksgiving Mass Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 22nd Mass at 9:00 am
Friday, Nov. 23rd
Mass at 8:00 am
Mass at 8:00 am
Advent Penance Service
December 13th starting at 6:30 pm
Multiple priests will be available to hear confessions in the Church
Bambinelli Sunday
December 15th and 16th
Please bring the Baby Jesus from your home nativity scene to be blessed following the Masses.
Mass Schedule For Holy Days and Christmas
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Holy Day of Obligation
Friday, December 7th Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins at 4:00 pm with Mass at 5:15 pm
Saturday, December 8th Mass at 9:00 am
Christmas Eve
Monday, December 24th
Mass at 4:00 pm (Children's Mass*) and 10:00 pm
Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25th
Mass at 8:00 and 10:00 am
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
Holy Day of Obligation
Monday, December 31st Mass at 5:15 pm
Tuesday, January 1st Mass at 9:00 am
*The Children's Mass is a very popular Mass. Please plan to arrive early. If the parking lot is full, you can also park across the street at Bell Middle School. Please do not create spaces at the end of the rows as this makes navigating the parking lot very difficult. Once the pews are full, you are welcome to stand along the back of the Church and in the narthex, but please leave a walk way for people to pass through. Thank you!
"The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance."
Religious Education and Youth Ministry
Dec. 2nd - Christmas Breakfast, Dec. 8th - Family Promise Dinner (High School Youth only), Dec. 11th - Caroling, No Classes on Dec. 18th, 25th, or Jan. 1st
RCIA
No class on Dec. 24th or 31st
December 8th
Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
St. Joseph's and Mother Cabrini Shrine
An Ignatian Retreat on Mary's Discerning Heart
How can we imitate Mary's discerning heart in our own lives? What does it mean for us to spiritually "keep all these things" in our heart? On this year's retreat, we will learn how to incorporate practical spiritual wisdom from St. Ignatius' "Rules for Discernment of Spirits" on how to make sense of the movements in our hearts and live a "discerning life." The retreat will start with Mass at St. Joseph celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary before we head to Mother Cabrini Shrine. The cost is $20/person. Space is limited so sign-up soon! Click the button below to be taken to the registration form.
Wondering if you should come to the retreat? Here's what participants said about last year's retreat:
"Overall it was a wonderful experience and a blessing to be able to attend."
"Powerful, moving, well-instructed, non-threatening, welcoming and informational. If you have not attended a retreat in many years or if you have never attended a retreat in the past, listen closely to the Holy Spirit guiding you and make the time!
"I am more quiet and still in prayer now which allows me to hear and understand scripture in a new and more fruitful way, and I'm 60!!! Practicing prayer all my life. Amazing."
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Family Gathering
Dec. 2nd after 9:15 am Mass
Join other families of our parish at the Christmas Breakfast!
Christmas Breakfast
December 2nd after the Masses
Join us in the Holy Family Hall for our annual Ho-Ho-Holiday Celebration! The Confirmation Youth will be serving a breakfast of breakfast burritos, gingerbread pancakes, Christmas coffee, and much more! There will also be a special visit from Santa Claus (who will be available for photos). The cost is $10/all you can eat and $5/children 5 and under and CSM students.
Olive Wood Crafts
Dec. 1st and 2nd
Holy Family Hall
Holy Family Hall
As St. Joseph taught Christ the trade of carpentry in Nazareth, the Bannoura family has passed the trade of olive wood artisanship from generation to generation. They take great pride in their distinct and traditional craft, which is the principle source of income for the small but resilient Christian community. Their beautiful olive wood items will be for sale following the Masses. For more information or to view available products, please visit their website www.bethlehemhandicrafts.com.
December 4th
Tuesday 6:46 to 7:15 pm
Outside the main doors of the Church
Please join us for our annual tree lighting. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, the event is held outside the main Church doors at the large evergreen tree. The tree will receive a blessing and we will sing as the lights are turned on. All parishioners, especially students in Religious Education are encouraged to attend. Please dress for the weather as this is an outside event. The Youth Ministry and Confirmation Students will be making blankets in the Education Center following the tree lighting, and all are invited to join them.
"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."
Pies and Wreaths
If you have ordered pies and wreaths to support the Confirmation students, pick-up for pies is Wednesday, Nov. 21st between 2:00 and 6:00 pm in the Education Center. Wreath and Poinsettia pick-up is November 24th and 25th after the Masses in the Holy Family Hall.
Caroling
December 11th
Join the youth in visiting retirement communities and senior parishioners. We will meet at 6:30 pm at the Church.
Children's Christmas Choir
The Children's Christmas Choir, lead by Maura Burns, Gary Bishop, and Teri Lauwers, will rehearse on December 11th and 18th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Church. The Choir will sing at the Children's Mass at 4:00 pm on Christmas Eve. It is open to children of all ages.
Looking Back at the Fall
We had so much fun cheering on our favorite team at the Broncos Party. In October, we had a special Night of Prayer with the Saints where students from Religious Education and Youth Ministry joined other parishioners for an evening of prayer with relics from more than 20 saints. We also welcomed Maura Burns as our new Pastoral Music Coordinator!
Looking Forward
Just a few dates to keep in mind and help you plan
January 19th, 2019
First Reconciliation for 2nd Graders
January 25th, 2019
Annual Parish Benefit Dinner
Annual Parish Benefit Dinner
March 6th, 2019
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
March 11th, 2019
Start of Novena to St. Joseph
Start of Novena to St. Joseph
March 19th, 2019
Feast of St. Joseph
Feast of St. Joseph
April 21st, 2019
Easter
Easter
May 5th, 2019
First Communion for 2nd Graders
First Communion for 2nd Graders
June 17th-21st, 2019
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School
Thank you for taking the time to read the Advent and Christmas newsletter! Additional information can be found on our website HERE and in the weekly bulletins.
Audrey Goshorn
Office Assistant & Web Content Manager
audreyg@stjoegold.org 303-279-4464